Abba Kyari And The Police Service And Commendation Award -By Hajia Hadiza Mohammed

About a month ago when I wrote my last essay on the super cop I thought that was to be the last in the series but it was not to be. Every new event in the police force and in the nation’s security architecture reinforces the yearning need to revisit the Abba Kyari’s case. This piece is actually motivated by the recent award ceremony organized by the police to recognize and reward officers who have distinguished themselves in their duties. In an award ceremony held on Monday the day of April, 2024, sixteen different officers in different categories received award of excellence in recognition of their dedication to duty. A friend of mine, Georgina, who monitored the said award event asked sarcastically: “what is police rewarding, insecurity?” To my friend giving award to “deserving” officers implies that the said officers have done well in their assigned roles by providing security. And if they have done so why do we have so much insecurity in the land? Why do we have tension in the land? Why do people fear to go to farms?

Another friend of mine, Hauwa Bello was more cynical. She said the entire award ceremony attended by the commander-in-chief of the Nigerian armed forces, represented by the vice-president Alhaji Kashim Shettima, is a farce and a celebration of failure. How can the police be given award of excellent service to its officers when the nation is in a siege, when the bandits, kidnappers, terrorists and insurgents are operating unhindered? How can the police be celebrating non-existent victory, when those that they are paid to protect are living in misery like hostages in their country? Again, one James Omamili said the title of the award should have been Nigeria Police Award and “Condemnation” Ceremony instead of commendation. He said the police and the nation’s entire security agencies have failed the nation and there is absolutely no need for any award, for giving award implies performance. And if there is performance our security situation will not be in this deplorable state.

One Abraham Angwe was also critical of the police award ceremony. He was of the view that the entire thing was subjective selection of loyal officers; that it was not based on actual performance. For awards and recognitions to be credible, it must be tied to actual, visible and measurable performance or achievement just like the ones given to DCP. Abba Kyari, the former commander IGP-IRT squad, in the past. He lamented that since the exit of Abba Kyari bandits and kidnappers are having a field day, riding rough shod on the nation. He said that it is ironical that we have the presence of security joint task force everywhere and yet there is insecurity everywhere.

Alhaji Bello Mustapha from Kano was of the opinion that ordinarily, nobody has interest in who gets award within the police force but now everybody seems to be interested because of the insecurity in the land. He was of the view that if there is anybody that should be given award it should be the incarcerated former leader of the IGP-IRT squad, Mr. Abba Kyari. He said that the exit of Abba Kyari created a lacuna that has not been filled. He was of the opinion that the police authorities and the award committee should recognize that if they are sincere. He noted that the entire awards received by Kyari were earned based on recognizable performance.

Nevertheless, we cannot overemphasize the importance of awards to those that are diligence in their work. Awards have strong motivating effects on workers but it could be de-motivating if the process is flawed and compromised. Awards based on performance will encourage others to work hard. But awards based on favoritism have negative effects. I am a strong advocate of rewarding excellence for it will help people develop good work ethics and healthy habits.

However, I don’t know why the police authorities are giving award to its officer and in truth, they have the right to reward and motivate its officers. But I am of the opinion that the police and our security agencies will use the opportunity to review our security situation and make appropriate adjustments especially in the engagement of capable and dedicated officers. Officers with pending cases should be dispassionately and objectively reviewed.

In particular, I ask that the authorities use this opportunity to look into the case of DCP. Abba Kyari who has been kept in the Kuje Correctional Centre for more two years now while the nation’s security system deteriorates. Abba Kyari was unarguably the most decorated officer of the Nigerian Police Force whose contribution to crime bursting in Nigeria is nonpareil. Releasing him and reinstating him back to office will douse the insinuation that he was a victim of jealousy and official high-handedness.

Hajia Hadiza Mohammed
hajiahadizamohammed@gmail.com
An actress, social activist, politician
London, UK